
now have it was not completed until the time of Ezra, about 444 B. c. But the
Pentateuch was the foundation upon which all later writers built. Each one
of the sixteen major and minor prophets, most of whom lived centuries before
Josiah and Ezra, refer in some way to the books of the Pentateuch, some of
them making a number of references, direct or implied, to the contents of these
books. Isaiah is credited with making more than five hundred such references;
Ezekiel and Jeremiah each with over three hundred. The historical books of
Joshua, Judges, Ruth, and Samuel also show an intimate acquaintance with
the entire Pentateuch; while the Psalms have scores of direct quotations
from it, and a multitude of allusions and references to it. Israel's experience
as portrayed in Psalms 78, 105, 106, is a reiteration of the recital given in the
Pentateuch. If these books were not written for hundreds of years after the
time of David, who lived a thousand years before Christ, whence did David
get his knowledge? A concrete illustration of the fallacy, of the critic's view
may be pertinent in this connection. In 2 Kings 14:6 we are told that Amaziah
refrained from slaying the children of the murderers of his father because it
was "written in the book of the law of Moses" (Deut. 24:16) that the children
should not be put to death for the sins of their fathers. If Deuteronomy was
not written until the time of Josiah, who lived nearly two hundred years later,
how could Amaziah be restrained by its mandate? Despite the, critics, we are
sure that ere Moses slept on Pisgah's lonely mount, he penned by inspiration
these living oracles for the people of God. Deut. 31:24-26.
10.
From whom did Moses receive the subject matter for the Penta-
teuch? On what occasion did he receive much of the instruction found in
his writings? Ex. 24:4; 25:40; Heb. 8:5.
NomE.—To learn the authority behind the counsel and instruction of Mo-
ses, it is only necessary to observe how frequently the statement, "The Lord
spake unto Moses," or some similar expression, is found in the Pentateuch.
Many chapters of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers begin with the statement,
and not infrequently end with the same. No less than seven hundred such af-
firmations are in the writings of Moses.
The instruction concerning the building of the tabernacle was received
from the Lord during the forty days and nights spent on the mount (Ex. 24:
18; 25:9). "As the years rolled on, and he [Moses] wandered with his flocks
in solitary places, pondering upon the oppressed condition of his people, he
recounted the dealings .of God with his fathers, and the promises that were the
heritage of the chosen nation, and his,
prayers for Israel ascended by day and
by night. Heavenly angels -shed their light around him. Here, under the in-
spiration of the Holy Spirit, he wrote the book of Genesis. The long years
spent amid the desert solitudes were rich in blessing, not alone to Moses and
his people, but to the World in all succeeding
ages."—"Patriarchs and Proph-
ets,"
.
p.
251.
11.
What instruction was given Joshua concerning the book of the
law, or the Pentateuch? Joshua 1:7, 8.
NOTE.—The Hebrew nation has always received these treatises as the books
of Moses, and they were read to the assembled tribes at stated times.. The
apostle James said, "Moses of old time bath in every city them that preach
him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath day." Acts 15:21.
12.
Who are cited as some of the New Testament writers? John 21:20,
24; 1 Cor. 1:1, 2; Luke 1:1-4; Acts 1:1.
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